Anja Loizaga-Velder, Ph.D. - Walking Behind the Medicine: Bridging Western & Indigenous Healing Paradigms

Dr. Anja Loizaga-Velder, Co-Founder of Nierika, joins Paul F. Austin to explore the therapeutic nature of Ayahuasca & other plant medicines. Find episode links, summary, and transcript here. This intimate in-person interview was recorded at Dr. Anja’s plant medicine retreat center in Mexico, just after Paul concluded his own 6-day Ayahuasca experience. Topics covered include: mental health from an indigenous perspective, Dr. Anja’s journey bridging Western medicine with traditional healing practices, and the current environmental and political struggles of indigenous healers in Mexico. Dr. Anja Loizaga-Velder received her master’s degree in psychology (Dipl.-Psych.) from Koblenz-Landau University, Germany, and her doctorate in medical psychology (Dr.sc.hum.) from Heidelberg University, Germany. She is a psychotherapist specializing in humanistic and transpersonal psychology, the study of consciousness, music therapy, and ethnopsychotherapy. Anja wrote both her master’s thesis and her doctoral thesis on the use of Ayahuasca for the treatment of addictions. She has published several articles in international academic journals and contributed book chapters on the topics of traditional medicine and mental health. She has been invited to exhibit her work in multiple international conferences. She is the Co-Founder of Nierika A.C. and director of psychotherapy and research at the Institute of Intercultural Medicine Nierika A.C. In addition, she is a professor and researcher in the postgraduate course in Medical and Health Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Highlights: The story of Nierika. The indigenous paradigm of healing and mental health. Dr. Anja’s work with and research into therapeutic effects of plant medicine. The political and environmental struggles of the Yaqui tribe and other indigenous healers in Mexico. Dr. Anja’s advice to professionals seeking psychedelic therapy training. Guiding principles for ethically working with plant medicine. The therapeutic effects of Ayahuasca. Key Links: Nierika Episode 172: Paul Stamets & Pamela Kryskow, M.D. Third Wave’s Ultimate Guide to Ayahuasca. Episode Sponsors: Numinus Third Wave's Mushroom Grow Kit